A Cruel Blow

Wind Storm Causes Damage in Bali’s Capital of Denpasar

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(11/2/2012)

Just two days after warnings were published by Balidiscovery.com, mini-tornadoes or “puting beliung” storms, as they are locally known, hit Bali’s capital of Denpasar at 4:00 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, damaging at least three homes and partially destroying a temple on Jalan Seroja.

The chief of Denpasar’s Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD), Made Prapta, told Seputarbali.com that his office had quickly inventoried the damage caused by the storm and have already made their formal report. That report stated that one temple was leveled by the high winds while a number of local residents were preparing a religious ceremony at the site. Of the three residences damaged, the destruction was limited to roof and roofing tiles that flew off during the storm.

Nearby, a junior high school (SMK – PGRI 4) endured roof damage and lost an antenna. School officials closed the school on Wednesday due to the damaged roof.

In the same neighborhood a car owned by a local resident suffered significant property damage due to falling branches and roof tiles.

The entire storm, which caused substantial damage, lasted only five minutes and caused no personal injury.